The answer to this question is obvious: we all know that homeschoolers can go to college!
On this episode of Homeschooling In Real Life, (sponsored by Judson College) Fletch and Kendra get real and challenge their listeners to join them in a difficult discussion about fear and trusting God as they contemplate sending their children onto higher education.
Along the way, they sit down with two college admissions counselors and ask them to share the experiences they have had when homeschoolers apply to college. How are we doing when it comes to academic preparedness, pride and preparing our kids for college?
Finally, Fletch and Kendra wrap up their show with a special edition of the HIRLer’s Treasure Chest. Tune in to see what these two are recommending for you now!
03:45 – Fletch/Kenj talk begin the discussion about parenting from a place of fear.
15:13 – Grand Canyon University Admission reps Nick Chandler and Carrie Fox-Buttram join the discussion.
45:29 – HIRL’ers Treasure Chest
Show Notes for Can Homeschoolers Go to College?
Homeschooling In Real Life – Episode 27: Can Your Homeschooler Go To College?
Produced by the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network
In this episode, we tackle the question, “Can your homeschooler go to college?” We’ve heard from many homeschooling parents who carry significant fear about sending their kids off to college. We’ll talk about this fear openly, invite two college admissions counselors into our conversation, and discuss some of the strengths and weaknesses they see in homeschool applicants—including a key issue: pride.
“We really don’t care if you’re homeschooled. What we care about is you as an individual student. Homeschooling is just a means to an end.” — Admissions Counselor, GCU
We also listen to a listener voicemail and dive into a special edition of the Hurler’s Treasure Chest. Keep listening—this is Homeschooling in Real Life!
Fletch: Welcome to the Homeschooling in Real Life podcast. I’m Fletch.
Kendra: And I’m Kendra. As veteran homeschooling parents, we tackle the topics that divide and distract Christian homeschoolers from each other—and from the gospel.
Fletch: At Homeschooling IRL, we promise honesty, transparency, and a sense of humor as we discover together what homeschooling looks like in real life.
Can Homeschoolers Go to College: Episode Start
Fletch: Today, we continue our discussion on college. Previously, we talked about launching our oldest off to Grand Canyon University. Tonight, we tackle the big question: Can your homeschooler go to college?
Kendra: Short answer—yes, absolutely!
Fletch: End of the show! [laughs] But seriously, homeschoolers worry about this. We’ve seen a lot of fear among parents regarding sending their kids to college. Let’s dive into that.
Kendra: Right. I remember hearing a speaker warn homeschooling parents years ago about the dangers of college life—parties, drugs, promiscuity. And you know what? It worked! I felt genuine fear about college for my kids.
Fletch: Exactly. We experienced these things ourselves in college, didn’t we? But here’s the thing: sometimes this fear comes from parents who don’t want their kids making the same mistakes they made.
Kendra: Definitely. Especially if you’ve come to faith later in life, you might be tempted to shelter your children from your own past mistakes. Noble intention—but fear-based decisions aren’t the way to go. The gospel frees us from living in fear.
Fletch: Right. We’ve covered the topic of hope shifting before—placing our hope in homeschooling to protect our kids. But let’s remember our kids are sinners too! It’s easy to think the world will corrupt our perfect kids—but they’re already corrupted by sin. We need to disciple them, not just shelter them.
Kendra: It’s true. Parents need to have meaningful conversations early on about choosing friends wisely, walking in faith, and pursuing Christ independently. If you’re just starting these conversations at age 17 or 18, it’s going to be a tough transition.
Fletch: Exactly. Let’s also remember some professions require college degrees. As a dentist, I couldn’t just learn from books or apprenticeships—I had to go to school. If your child wants to pursue certain careers, college is not optional.
Interview with Nick Chandler & Kerri Fox from GCU
Fletch: To get an admissions perspective, we invited Nick Chandler and Kerri Fox-Butrim from Grand Canyon University. They shared candid insights on homeschool applicants.
Q: Are homeschoolers prepared for college?
Nick: Absolutely. We’re open to homeschoolers; there’s nothing to fear if you’ve been following a good curriculum.
Kerri: Agreed. Just ensure you’re working through accredited programs. A simple Google search can show exactly what’s needed.
Nick: One thing I’ve noticed is the social aspect. Occasionally, homeschoolers who visit campus realize college might be more overwhelming than anticipated. So it’s important to prepare them by visiting campuses early.
Fletch: What documents do homeschool parents need for admission?
Kerri: A basic, unofficial transcript initially is fine—just list classes, grades, and clearly mark it as unofficial. Once conditionally accepted, you’ll provide an official transcript.
Nick: Yeah. A complicated portfolio isn’t necessary unless you’re applying to highly competitive schools that require detailed interviews or additional proof of achievements.
Fletch: Do you see gaps in homeschoolers’ preparedness?
Kerri: Standardized testing is an issue. Sometimes a high GPA doesn’t match lower SAT or ACT scores. My advice: practice standardized tests consistently.
Nick: Agreed. Also, writing skills can be surprisingly weak for some homeschoolers—college-level writing standards can be a shock. Preparing early can help address this gap.
Kerri: Another issue we see frequently: pride—mostly from parents, honestly. Parents can feel defensive about homeschooling, wanting validation from colleges. Remember, we evaluate students individually, not the homeschooling method.
Nick: Exactly. Your child stands on their own. We care about them, not the schooling method. Homeschooling is great, but remember to be flexible and open-minded during the application process.
Call to Action: Our Identity in Christ
Fletch: Let’s pause a moment—listeners, please consider leaving us a review on iTunes! We’re one of the few homeschooling podcasts tackling real-life issues honestly. Your reviews help others find us and bring freedom to families feeling trapped by legalism or fear.
Kendra: Absolutely. When we’re challenged or defensive, it can reveal idols in our hearts. Let’s keep our focus on Jesus, not our homeschool identity.
Final Thoughts
Fletch: Big thanks to Nick and Kerri from Grand Canyon University for their time and honesty.
Kendra: Next episode, we’ll explore “Homeschooling and the Internet.” How early is too early for kids to be online? Join us for that conversation in two weeks.
Fletch: Remember to visit our website at homeschoolingirl.com, send us a voicemail, and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter (@HomeschoolIRL).
Thanks for listening, and we’ll catch you next time on Homeschooling IRL.
Homeschooling In Real Life is a production of the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network. For more details, visit homeschoolingirl.com.
The post Can Your Homeschooler Go To College – HIRL Episode 27 (replay) appeared first on Ultimate Homeschool Podcast Network.
